Description

Abstract
Vitex negundo (Verbenaceae), popularly known as “Nirgundi” in Hindi and “Five leaved chaste tree” in English is widely distributed throughout in India. Almost all parts of the plant are used in the Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicines. Vitex negundo is used for dispelling inflammatory swelling of joints from acute rheumatism, healing wounds, ulcers and different bacterial infections. It is also used in treatment of neuropharmacological disorders like convulsions as a traditional drug. The aim of the present study was to carry phytochemical screening for the identification of various phytoconstituents and anticonvulsant activity of alcoholic extract of root of Vitex negundo. The alcoholic extract was subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening for the identification of different phytoconstituents. The alcoholic extract showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, phenolic compounds, saponins and sterols. The anticonvulsant activity of alcoholic extract of root of Vitex negundo at a dose level of 250, 500 & 750 mg/kg b.w., i.p. was performed in mice by using electroshock and PTZ methods. The standard was taken as phenytoin (25mg/kg b.w., i.p.). The alcoholic extract at dose level of 750 mg/kg has shown comparable activity to that of phenytoin.

Keywords: Vitex negundo, Nirgundi, Anticonvulsant activity, Maximal electroshock seizure model, PTZ, Phenytoin